Reconstruction is never neutral. When reconstruction ignores justice and accountability, it can entrench the same fractures it claims to heal. This book review is a timely reminder to ask who reconstruction serves—and at what cost.

The real value of the economic track lies in clarifying unresolved trade-offs, not just areas of consensus. To advance the trust in - and the quality of - the economic transition, these hard choices are better debated openly rather than being settled implicitly.

Syria should be read as a diagnostic case for the new US foreign policy in the Middle East. Corridor politics & alliance management are shaping US engagement with Syria, clarifying both the limits & stakes of current trajectories.

Civil service reform is about rebuilding trust between state and society. Without shared clarity on the state’s role and inclusive participation, even well-intended reforms can weaken institutions when they most need strengthening.

Recovery isn’t just about attracting #capital - it’s about making choices that deliver real #PublicValue . Prioritization, risk awareness, and ethical valuation must guide #investment in #Syria to avoid misallocation and ensure fairness.

Recovery is not triggered by reopening markets alone. Export capacity emerges from institutions, coordination, and incentives that shape behavior over time—especially for SMEs—not from one-off policy fixes.

The core risk isn’t funding scarcity, but how recovery finance reshapes power. Without clear, rules-based links between national coordination and local accountability, today’s financing choices may entrench governance outcomes that are hard to undo.

Real women’s empowerment needs more than token seats or projects. It requires grounding #WPS in local realities, strengthening grassroots networks, and linking women’s everyday roles to political and recovery processes.

#Recovery isn't just about attracting #capital, it’s about aligning #investment with #PublicValue . Without national criteria for public utility, #Syria risks entrenching exclusion instead of building resilience.

A democratic transition cannot succeed without a media sector that is independent, safe, and united around ethical principles. Reforming institutions and fostering collaboration among journalists is as crucial as drafting new laws. Press freedom must be built from the ground up!

Zedoun reminds us that decentralization is not about weakening the state, but about building trust between the center and the periphery. His emphasis on dialogue and respect shows that unity in Syria depends less on coercion and more on inclusion and shared responsibility.

Recovery is not measured by skylines, but by whether ordinary Syrians can secure dignified homes. Housing solutions must build on local capacities, protect rights, and prioritize people over profit—otherwise, reconstruction risks repeating the exclusions of the past.

The lesson from Wadi al-Joz is clear: rebuilding homes without restoring rights only deepens wounds. Reconstruction must begin with the people—protecting their claims, dignity, and voices—otherwise “return” risks becoming another form of exclusion.